Cast of HAIR to Perform at Mayor's Awards Ceremony 11/10; Vanessa Williams to Host

Members of the cast of HAIR will perform the signature song "Hair" at the Apollo Theatre today - Monday, November 10 - during a ceremony in which Mayor Michael Bloomberg will present a Mayor's Award for Arts and Culture to HAIR composer Galt MacDermot and five others members of the arts community.

The Host for the evening will be Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams.

In addition to Mr. MacDermot, Mayor Bloomberg will present the 2008 Mayor's Awards for Arts and Culture to five other individuals in celebration of their outstanding contributions to New York City cultural life, they are: The Alliance of Resident Theatres; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Arthur Aviles, choreographer; Dr. Sharon Dunn, former Director of Arts Education, NYC Department of Education; and Rush Arts Gallery &Corridor Gallery.

Neil Simon will receive the Handel Medallion, the highest official honor given by the City of New York and is presented for outstanding achievement in the arts.

The producers of the Broadway bound HAIR - The Public Theatre and Elizabeth Ireland McCann - recently announced the musical will transfer to Broadway following its sold-out run at the Delacorte Theatre this summer, HAIR will begin previews on February, 13th 2009 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre (302 West 45th Street) prior to officially opening on March 5.

With a score including such enduring musical numbers as "Let the Sun Shine In," "Aquarius," "Hair" and "Good Morning Starshine," HAIR depicts the birth of a cultural movement in the 60's and 70's that changed America forever:  the musical follows a group of hopeful, free-spirited young people who advocate a lifestyle of pacifism and free-love in a society riddled with intolerance and brutality during the Vietnam War.  As they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn draft cards, the "tribe" in HAIR creates an irresistible message of 'hope' that continues to resonate with audiences 40 years later.

HAIR is directed by Diane Paulus, and has book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni, and music by Galt MacDermot.

Photo Credit Peter James Zielinski